Why do different races and cultures have different facial features?

Question

For example Oprah Winfrey said that friends had asked her to have plastic surgery on her nose because they believed it was a bit large. She said no because she wanted to be black and proud. I have noticed some races do have large noses. How do such differences come about? Why would one race for example have a larger nose throughout? I don't mean any disrespect by this but can see where it will anger people and yet I am asking with the utmost respect. Please don't read something here that isn't. White people they say have thinner lips (I know, strange) than some races. How could all these kinds of things happen to a race?

Answer 1

One can only exhibit in one's appearance what traits are part of the genetic pool of one's own people.  Predominance of certain characteristics amongst a people is determined by the environment and the survival of those who exhibit those characteristics: in short, evolution, which is the "weeding out" of those in a population that are not equipped to survive the typical characteristics of a particular environment.  Darwin wrote of survival of the fittest.  Survival often depends on different characteristics in different areas of the globe.  In one area of the globe a person with a large nose would be at a disadvantage, whereas in another area the same person would be at an advantage.  Using the example of large noses, persons with large nostrils are able to inhale sufficient amounts of air and receive the needed oxygen for the body's metabolism.  In an extremely cold environment, this characteristic could be fatal, allowing for the loss of much needed body heat through respiration and surface to volume ratio loss of heat through the skin.  So in cold areas, people with larger noses may die before reproducing, whereas in hot climates they would better stand a chance to survive than a person with a smaller more constricted nose,  Thus, the environment sorts out those who in any given environment lack the genetic and thus physical characteristics needed to cope and survive in that particular environment.  If deaths occur mostly in young people with the disadvantageous characteristic, eventually the genetic characteristics are eliminated from the population. Thus, over time, the people of that area tend to all possess the advantageous qualities for survival in that locale.

Answer 2

No one knows for sure. When dark skinned people migrated North, their future generations didn't become lighter, nor was there a change in their nostrils.  The skeletal structure of Aborigines  people is different from Europeans. There is no correct answer, only guesses. But,  it certainly throws the Adam & Eve theory out the window.

Answer 3

Boo and the Invisble man pretty much wrote similiar to what i was going to say.

I love looking at the features that different people possess... they tell of a history and a culture ... and it isn't a matter of judging people on those features ... just knowing for example... if they have flaming red hair and fair skin and freckles that their heritage lies perhaps in Scotland or Ireland .. ( from there you imagine their ancestor's lifestyles)  the same with other people and their features....

Answer 4

Genes....

Answer 5

Because they come fron different areas of the world with different climates. Big nostrils from hot climates, for more oxygen intake, narrow noses in colder climates. Skin color is darker in hot climates to protect the skin from the sun and keep one cooler.  and paler in colder climates when little protection is needed.

Answer 6

many reasons just the fact that humens have changed to fix the needs of what their surroundings are mind my spelling but it is a known fact that even if that feature is not needed anymore it will stay with you..unless otherwise needed ...take this for an (ex) it is believed we came from africa well we were most likely back;however, we moved to the cold and less sunlight our bodies changed to a lighter setting for us humens to have a better chance of staying alive in the cold weather we were given less sunlight and ofc our noses changed as well...so when the ice age ended why did we stay white ? because we had no reason to change back yes this takes many lifetimes we do not just change colors that fast. we only change to benefit our genes to past on i hope this helped you

Answer 7

i was going to post this exact same question!so thanks.